MONEY • INVESTMENT • INSURANCE
How a respected local daily was sold off to ‘a destroyer of newspapers’
Inside: 15 Gen Z workers need a timeout! 16 The sunny side of ‘toxic positivity’ 32 A bite from the Sandwich Generation 47 Requiem for an Eames 51 The Top 500
Money, Investment and Insurance Issue 2025
$4.95
Recovery Starts Here
Dr. Sushma D. Taylor Recovery Center (SDTRC)
Guided by Science, Strengthened by Partnership, Grounded in Caring T he Dr. Sushma D. Taylor Recovery Center (SDTRC) is Sonoma County’s newest adult male-only residential treatment facility, designed to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed services for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), including those with co-occurring mild to moderate mental health conditions. Under the leadership of CP-DAAC, a major facility remodel—funded through the Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP)—was completed last year, with program services initiated on December 1. SDTRC now offers 50 licensed treatment beds and is preparing to launch a 10-bed intensive withdrawal management unit on August 4, 2025. This new unit will feature 24/7 licensed nursing staff, medical oversight by an addiction-certified physician, and full integration of Medication- Assisted Treatment (MAT)—ensuring safe, supported detoxification for clients in the earliest stages of recovery. In addition to ASAM Levels 3.1, 3.2 and 3.5 residential care, SDTRC is licensed to provide Incidental Medical Services (IMS) and dual- diagnosis support for individuals managing both SUD and mental health conditions. Treatment includes individual and group counseling, psychiatric and medication support, peer recovery services, and personalized discharge planning to ensure continuity of care. The program serves predominantly Medi-Cal recipients and accepts referrals from a wide range of partner agencies and systems, including Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC), the AB 109 Post-Release Community Supervision (PRCS) program, Drug Court, Buckelew Programs’ Orenda Detox Center, and self-referred individuals seeking structured residential support. “At the Dr. Sushma D. Taylor Recovery Center, we believe healing
begins with welcome and respect. Our adult male residential and upcoming detox program are anchored in the best of science
and compassionate care— integrating evidence-based treatments, dual-diagnosis
support, and incidental medical services. We work hand in hand with local agencies— Sonoma County
Christopher Geiger, Regional Vice President (A) CP-DAAC
Department of Health Services – Behavioral Health Division, TASC, AB 109/PRCS, Drug Court, Orenda Center, and more—to ensure smooth entry and exit pathways. Our staff are continuously growing through training, trauma-informed care, and a shared culture of caring, so that every man who walks through our doors finds both expert care and genuine support.” — Christopher Geiger, Regional Vice President (A) CP-DAAC
Operated by: CP-DAAC | www.daacinfo.org Detox Unit Opening: NOW OPEN! Licensed Capacity: 50 beds (10 detox) Client Population: Adult men, Medi-Cal eligible, justice-and community-referred
POWERING YOUR BUSINESS
Expert Commercial Solutions in HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, and Solar. Unlock the full potential of your business with our comprehensive suite of commercial services. From planning, installation, and maintenance, to ensuring efficient energy usage, we’ve got you covered. Our team of experts specializes in solutions tailored to meet your specific needs. With over 90 years of experience in the North Bay, and a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, Ongaro & Sons is here to optimize your workspace for success.
(707) 361-7456 ONGAROANDSONS.COM LICENSE #215233
Trust us to keep your business running smoothly, reliably, and sustainably.
4 NorthBaybiz
September 2025
September 2025 • Volume 50 • Number 10 CONTENTS
50 YEARS OF BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
22
LEAD STORY 22 The Selling of the Press Democrat Bill Meagher How a respected local newspaper fell under the shadow of a ‘reviled newspaper owner’
FEATURE STORIES 30 John Ash, 1942 – 2025 Jason Walsh The Father of Wine Country Cuisine dies at 83 32 The Sandwich Generation Jessica Zimmer
Caregivers for both their children and aging parents can feel trapped in the middle
WORK/LIFE 15 Office 16 Happiness
38 Retooling Wine Insurance Jessica Zimmer
North Bay wineries seek greater protection 47 The Eames Dream Jason Walsh Museum for classic furniture design planned for vacant Novato campus 51 The Top 500 Our annual list of North Bay revenue generators
September 2025
NorthBaybiz 5
74
37
18
72
COLUMNS 11
DEPARTMENTS 12 The 707
Editor's Note Jason Walsh The shifting media landscape
The latest news from Sonoma and Napa counties
18
13
Econ 101 R obert Eyler The Federal Reserve and policy independence Only In Marin Bill Meagher BioMarin makes a deal; Huffman launches SHIP Napa Insider Christina Julian h A solution to winery woes: Free tastings
The 415 The latest news from Marin County
21
17
The Month In Numbers A look at the key figures shaping life in the North Bay
31
72
Great Tastes Alexandra Russell Baldacci Family Vineyards in Napa
74
37
Dine Wise Jason Walsh Wit & Wisdom, a Michael Mina destination in Sonoma
Tech Talk Michael E. Duffy Software testing in the age of AI Adam Lee Wine Country, start your sourdoughs! Vine Wise
77
79
What’s Happening Upcoming North Bay events
78
Biz Scene Pint Night and Carole King 82 Beyond the Boardroom Rosie Padilla
Natalie Norman, CEO of the Healdsburg Prune Packers
NorthBay biz (ISSN No. 1542-3549: USPS 097-770) is owned and published monthly (plus three bonus issues annually) by North Bay Media Group, LLC. Editorial offices are at 3392 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95403 USA: (707) 528-4434. Sub- scription price is $35 per year. Periodicals Postage Paid at Santa Rosa, CA 95402 and at additional mailing offices. Copyright 2022, NorthBay biz. Reproduction of this issue in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without written permission by the publisher. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NorthBay biz, 3392 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95403 USA.
Printed by Publication Printers Corp., an FSC Certified printer. Please recycle this magazine.
6 NorthBaybiz
September 2025
Your Trusted Local Partner. Providing personal services tailored to your family’s financial needs.
EXCHANGEBANK.COM/TRUST-INVESTMENT
Trust and investment management services are offered by Exchange Bank Trust & Investment Management. Exchange Bank Trust & Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, are not deposits and may lose value.
A LEADING DIGITAL MARKETING AGENCY DEDICATED TO PROPELLING BUSINESSES TO ONLINE SUCCESS.
Celebrating 50 Years
Publisher
Lawrence Amaturo
Editor-in-Chief
Jason Walsh
Associate Editor
Rosie Padilla
Contributing Editor
Bill Meagher
Design Director
Anne Schenk
Administrative Assistant
Jodi Pasquini
Marketing Consultant
Lori Rooney
Writers Bill Meagher Jason Walsh Jessica Zimmer Rosie Padilla Columnists Adam Lee Alexandra Russell Bill Meagher Christina Julian Jason Walsh Michael E. Duffy Robert Eyler
Why Choose Waterdrop Digital: • Innovation: We stay current with digital trends to offer cutting-edge solutions. • Results: Our data-driven approach maximizes your ROI. • Dedication: Our passionate team is committed to your success. • Client-Centric: We tailor strategies to your unique goals and audience. Choose Waterdrop Digital. Your partner in digital success.
We specialize in SEO, PPC advertising, content marketing, email marketing, web design and more. Our results-driven team combines innovation and strategy to keep you ahead of the competition.
Photographers Will Bucquoy
Helping grow your business isn’t just something we do .... it’s all we do!
Call us at 707-284-9176 or visit waterdropdigital.com
8 NorthBaybiz
September 2025
REFLECTIONSMARIN
REFLECTIONSMARIN
LIVINGATREFLECTIONS
Dual-Diagnosis Rehab
TREATMENT FOR EXECUTIVES
Reflections offers discreet, executive-level treatment with a personalized, dual-diagnosis approach designed for high functioning professionals who need to maintain a balance of career responsibilities while in rehab.
STAY CONNECTED WHILE IN TREATMENT ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE SUBSTANCE USE
STRESS, ANXIETY, TRAUMA, PTSD, ADHD/ADD, OCD, BIPOLAR, BORDERLINE INDIVIDUALIZED, INTENSIVE TREATMENT IN A PRIVATE UPSCALE ENVIRONMENT.
(415) 532-1075 | info@reflections.rehab
WWW.LIVINGATREFLECTIONS.COM
Books Are Portable Magic Simpson Sheet Metal is proud to be a sponsor of Read On Sonoma
Read on Sonoma!
Read On Sonoma had our most successful school year yet, with over 1,460 students participating in 7 schools!
We are expanding to twelve schools and 3,300 children. Our students read more than 630 million words — That’s 49,180 books, or 34 books per student! Keep up the great work! — Barbie Simpson, Owner and President
Put Your Trust In Us
Celebrating more than 40 years as a family owned business. Our team is here to meet all of your HVAC needs.
707-576-150 • www.simpsonsheetmetal.com • Santa Rosa, CA
Editor's Note
Good night, and good luck End of local newspaper ownership a sad headline for the North Bay
By Jason Walsh
I was hired by Darius Anderson as editor of the Press Democrat’s “Sonoma edition,” the Index-Tribune , in 2014—excited to join a locally owned media company, having experienced news reporting at both locally owned publications, as well as corporate-serving ones. I’d just come from the hyper-local Pacific Sun alt weekly in San Rafael, where drop-in visits from local politicos and avid readers were routine in equal measure. Prior, I had been a reporter at the Marin Independent Journal , a former Gannett gem that had been bought out by MediaNews Group— and quickly subjected to its business model of cost-cutting through staff depletion, cheap buyout offers and a rotating schedule of “unpaid Fridays off” for certain employees. I was
my managing editor regarding hundreds of reports of fires raging throughout the county. Another time I got a call that a barrel had been dumped in front of city hall—with a dead body stuffed inside. Then there was the regrettable call that a longtime member of the city council had been arrested for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl. From the significant to the silly, we covered everything. Our purses weren’t handsomely rewarded by any means, but the community
seemed to appreciate our efforts. Once the city manager marveled about the outsized influence the paper had on the town. Done well and with sufficient support from ownership, local journalism can matter. When Anderson in May sold the PD , the I-T and the rest of Sonoma Media Investments to Alden Global Capital and MediaNews Group, it marked a tectonic shift in the North Bay media landscape. Not only does it spell the end of local ownership of the North Bay’s daily newspapers—the Marin IJ is under MNG; the Napa Valley Register owned by Hoffman Media Group—but Alden’s bleak track record with community newspapers is well-documented, highlighted by asset fire-sales, wage freezes, staff reductions and turnover. In our main story this issue, “Reading Between the Lines,” longtime North Bay news and business reporter Bill Meagher takes a long, hard look at the shocking sale of the Press Democrat , why Darius Anderson ignored a more lucrative local offer for SMI, and what the PD’s future prospects look like under the stewardship of Alden Global. And here’s a clue: Since the sale, a reported 52 SMI employees have been shown the door. As I write this, the PD’s staff-designed website has been changed to conform to the boilerplate look of the Marin IJ and, presumably, all other MediaNews sites. And if you don’t like it, you’re out of luck: They’ve also struck down the ability for readers to make comments. Say this about Alden Global, they work fast. g
lucky to have been gone by the time New York hedge fund Alden Global Capital purchased MediaNews and the IJ in 2010. Anderson, a lobbyist and developer, was also managing partner of the PD’s parent company Sonoma Media Investments, formed following his purchase of the I-T in 2012, when he and a handful of local investors went all-in on local print media, buying the Press Democrat and its assortment of weeklies. The sunny storyline was that they were committed to saving local journalism, one community newspaper at a time. I’d never met Anderson before, but we’d both attended Novato High School and, though he has a number of years on me, we knew a lot of the same people from back in the day. My tenure with the PD’s Sonoma paper, the I-T, was from 2014 to 2022. Like any community newspaper worth its salt, our coverage ranged from major regional stories (we were the first to spotlight the suspicious dealings of now-disgraced real-estate mogul Ken Mattson) to those of purely colloquial interest (a beloved roadside fir dubbed Arnold the Tree was chopped down in the dead of night, stirring locals into a frenzy). A lot of it was typical small- town fodder—restaurant openings/closings, wedding announcements, centenarian birthday photos, elementary school happenings. NIMBYs opposed everything; the city council was constantly backstabbing. It was often fun; always hard work, and most days carried their share of surprises. And plenty of times the news was quite serious. One autumn morning in 2017, I woke to a 6 a.m. text from
September 2025
NorthBaybiz 11
The 707
Poppy Bank warns of ‘Godfather’ malware “I’m gonna make him an app he can’t refuse…”
While movie gangster Vito Corleone never had to navigate cybersecurity threats, he was still careful about how he conducted his banking. And the rest of us should be, too. Which is why Santa Rosa-based Poppy Bank last month issued a “critical cybersecurity alert” about the so-called “Godfather Malware,” a newly evolving threat targeting mobile banking users. The malware keys in on mobile apps—particularly those on Android devices—in an effort to steal login information from users of financial apps. “Its tactics are deceptive, its design sophisticated and its reach widespread,” Poppy Bank officials described in a press release about the malware. Poppy officials compared it to a Trojan Horse—it appears as a legitimate app from your personal bank, but, once installed, “it overlays a fake login screen on top of a real banking app, tricking users into entering their credentials.” Once installed, the app can record keystrokes, bypass two-factor authentication, intercept text messages and steal contact and account information. “Victims download it unknowingly by installing fake versions of trusted apps from third-party app stores, fake updates or phishing links,” Poppy’s announcement said.
The announcement highlighted various ways to protect devices and accounts, including: • Download apps exclusively from official sources like the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. • Avoid clicking on suspicious links, especially from unsolicited emails or text messages. • Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for added protection.
• Update your phone’s operating system and apps regularly to patch known vulnerabilities. • Use strong and unique passwords for each account.— JW
SDC goes back to the drawing board The County of Sonoma is pressing re-set on the EIR for the Sonoma Developmental Center. Revisions to the environmental impact report for Eldridge Renewal LLC’s redevelopment of the more than 900-acre Sonoma Valley property began last month, focusing on the 160-acre core campus that, until the state closed the facility in 2018, had served the developmentally disabled for more than a century. Eldridge Renewal’s proposal includes 990 residential units (of which 124 are affordable); 400,000 square feet of commercial, institutional and retail space, including a 130-room hotel; adaptive reuse of existing structures; new and upgraded infrastructure; and multiple parks and greenways connecting to the surrounding 750 acres of open space. An initial Specific Plan and EIR were adopted by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors in 2022. But a court ruling in 2024 invalidated those approvals and, in turn, the Board of Supervisors voided certification of the EIR and set aside the Specific Plan. The board also approved $914,000 for Dyett and Bhatia, the consulting firm that prepared the initial Plan and EIR, to revise the plan and report and include review of the development application. A Notice of Preparation of the EIR is anticipated to be published this fall, with public scoping sessions scheduled soon after. Comments are welcome at SDC@sonomacounty.gov .— NBb staff
County homeless-housing program a boon for landlords Sonoma Valley landlords have a new reason to house the homeless: Cold, hard cash. HomeFirst, a homeless-services nonprofit, and the Sonoma County Department of Health Services are launching the Rapid Rehousing Program in the Valley of the Moon, a region where about 100 people are currently experiencing homelessness, according to a county announcement. The program is designed to incentivize landlords to rent their units to unhoused community members. Sonoma Valley landlords could receive up to $1,000 in financial incentives if they rent their units to unhoused people enrolled in the program. The program also offers tenant mediation and payment for unexpected property damage. Meanwhile, renters in the program receive help finding a rental unit, filling out applications and moving in. They also receive financial assistance with monthly rents and one-time security deposits. In its first year, the program is expected to place around 13 households, totaling approximately 20 people, in rental housing in the Sonoma Valley. 1st District Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, who represents the Sonoma Valley, said the program will offer “a direct path to [housing] stability.” “I’m especially grateful to the landlords who are stepping up as partners in this effort; their participation is essential,” Hermosillo said. Interested landlords can reach out to bianca.rojas@homefirstscc.org for more information.— JW
12 NorthBaybiz
September 2025
The 415
Labor strike ruins kids’ summer
Summer camp ended early in Novato this summer, as city recreation staff, maintenance workers and other general employees went on strike for higher wages. The decision for members of SEIU Local 1021 to strike was announced late evening Aug. 4, leading many families to arrive at various recreational summer camps the next morning surprised to find locked doors, signs informing them camp was canceled, and stuck with no coverage for the tots on a workday. City officials sent an email to families apologizing for any “confusion” during camp drop-offs. “Unfortunately, we were not made aware in advance that many of our part-time seasonal employees—who are not members of the union and are not represented—would also choose to participate in the strike activities today,” the email said. “This has significantly impacted our ability to adequately staff several of our programs and facilities.” Due to the strike, the city canceled its kids summer camps, Counselor In Training program, gymnastics classes, cornhole league and other athletic programs. Negotiations between the city and the union have been ongoing since February. The City of Novato’s contract with the union expired
June 30 and both sides were still at an impasse at press time. Employees are demanding wage increases they say will bring their pay in line with median compensation for similar positions in other regional jurisdictions. City officials, meanwhile, issued a statement saying that with revenues from the recently passed Measure M sales tax increase, they’ve offered an 11% raise over three years for all SEIU employees, “with some receiving up to 24% through equity adjustments.” Novato’s Measure M, passed last year with a 57.9% majority, brought the local sales tax up from 8.5% to 9.25%. The measure is expected to bring in about $10 million in revenue annually. As for the strike, it ended after three days, with both sides vowing to continue at the negotiating table. Most camps remained canceled for the final week of the summer break.— NBb
The owner of the luminous red brick structure in the center of Point Reyes Station is proposing renovating the long-vacant building into a 34-room hotel and 60-seat restaurant. The 2,532-square-foot space, known as the Grandi Building, would also have a small retail space, according to the proposal first reported in the Marin Independent Journal . Owner Ken Wilson of Healdsburg purchased the 110-year-old building in 1973. Despite having submitted various renovation proposals over the years, the building has sat unused for decades, serving in the meantime as a local posting board for flyers, posters and other written announcements, not to mention occasional graffiti. From its early days, when the town was still West Marin’s busy train junction, the Mission Revival-style building was a bustling hotel and dance hall. Future U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower was said to have stayed there in 1940. As the age of rail travel transitioned to automobiles, and Point Reyes Station faded as a Marin epicenter of commerce, use of the large building scaled down. It’s been empty since 1978. A prior proposal to renovate the building into a hotel faced challenges regarding the heavy septic use a hotel and restaurant would involve. Planning consultants working with Wilson believe the new proposal will resolve those wastewater-management questions.— JW Hotel proposed for ‘big red brick building’ in Point Reyes Station
FARE program supports community gardens Grow your own is taking on a whole new meaning in Marin, as county officials are making roughly $1.4 million available for community gardens and other food-access initiatives. The grant funds are part of a Marin County Parks program called Food, Agriculture and Resilient Ecosystems, or FARE. The 2025 grants are intended to support projects and programs that enhance food systems, promote climate- beneficial management and increase natural resource values on Marin's working lands, according to a county announcement of the grants. FARE will prioritize programs that traditionally benefit populations experiencing inequity with food security and health—examples include community gardens, local food supply sustainability, increasing access to farmland for underserved communities, carbon-capture farming practices and more. This year’s program has added a new community and school gardens grant category, according to program coordinator Rachel Lane. Last year’s FARE grants benefited: • Fibershed's collaboration with tribal communities to plant 1,800 flood sedges (wetland-friendly plants similar to tall grass) for traditional basketry with local students • The North Bay Children's Center creation of new educational garden facilities • Kitchen Table Advisors building land lease pipelines to connect underserved specialty crop growers with agricultural landowners.— NBb
September 2025
NorthBaybiz 13
Devoted to Partnership
For over 40 years, Summit State Bank has been dedicated to serving and giving back to our customers and community by delivering the best service and solutions available.
Choosing to partner with a local company is so much more than a transaction. You get to know the employees, and they get to know you and your business on a more personal level. When you are managing your hard-earned money, a personal connection can make a world of difference.
Call us today to find out how we can help you and your business with all your financial needs!
S u m m i t S t a t e B a n k . c o m
7 0 7 . 5 6 8 . 6 0 0 0
Work Life Office
Gen Z workers need a timeout Office managers associate young hires with ‘babysitting,’ survey finds
T he majority of workplace managers believe their younger hires could do with a good burping and an early nighty-nite. That’s the takeaway from a new study that showed seven-in-10 managers liken supervising Gen Z employees to babysitting or parenting. The survey was conducted by workplace website resumetemplates.com and found 68% of supervisors compare managing employees under 25 to parenting, while 54% preferred to think of it as babysitting. Nearly 61% said their Gen Z reports require “hand-holding,” and 52% said they struggle to follow basic instructions. What’s more, managers reported the need to check in frequently with their Gen Z underlings— two-thirds checking in an average of two times per day, while nearly a quarter check in three times daily (12% check in at least five times!) ResumeTemplates’ Chief Career Strategist Julia Toothacre says with today’s young workers having lost around two years of real-world experience due to COVID isolation, it’s not surprising “some managers feel like they’re doing a lot of hand-holding.” “Gen Z’s entry into the workforce looked really different from previous generations because of the pandemic,” Toothacre said about the results. “Many had to take classes or internships online, so they missed out on receiving in-person training, experiencing casual learning opportunities and observing basic workplace norms. On top of that, many companies have cut back on onboarding and early career support due to reductions in human resources staff.” Perhaps most surprising to By Jason Walsh
emails and 28% couldn’t behave professionally in meetings. “About 41% consistently remind Gen Z employees to put their phones away, and 38% frequently encourage them to make eye contact during conversations,” the survey reported. About 35% needed to be reminded to clean up after themselves. Toothacre said companies need to be ready to support beleaguered managers when hiring the next generation of workplace employees. “When managers are stretched thin, it affects the whole team,” said Toothacre. “Organizations need to do more to support managers, otherwise they risk burnout, frustration and disengagement.” In response to an open-ended question the survey posed to managers about working with Gen Z, here are a few select quotes: n “Working with Gen Z has been an exhausting challenge. They are constantly having emotional meltdowns, late for work, and constantly distracted on their phones.” n “They act like I am their parent. They come to me with personal things that have no bearing on our workplace.” n “Sometimes I feel like we are at daycare to be honest. They have the phone out and watching videos and just do not seem to have the same work ethic I was raised with.” n “It has been exhausting. Most of the time I feel like a babysitter trying to teach children lessons they refuse to learn. The worst challenges are time management and staying off their phones.” n “This generation of workers is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. They are adults who still act like teenagers.” n “Gen Z are like children who were not properly raised, so they do not know how to function properly in society.”
managers were the workplace skills they found lacking in their younger hires. Nearly half said the employees had no ability to interact appropriately with others, while 38% couldn’t manage emotions at work and 37% didn’t dress appropriately. Worse, 36% failed to write proper
September 2025
NorthBaybiz 15
Work Life Happiness
‘Toxic positivity’ on the rise in workplaces
But look on the bright side, things could be worse…
By Jason Walsh
“Just stay positive!”
a power dynamic is involved—such as when it’s coming from company leadership. “Employees may strive to please their leader, even to the detriment of their well-being and the company’s well- being, because they want to be perceived as a team player,” she writes. “As a result, employees may deny their struggles or fail to bring up important issues for fear of coming across as negative and losing their job.” That said, toxic positivity shouldn’t be confused with positive thinking, which recognizes difficult challenges, but seeks ways to turn them into opportunity and growth. Positivity turns toxic when it abandons a basis in reality. The good news is that this type of overplaying good vibes is increasingly recognized in workplace situations and, thanks to a better overall understanding of its negative consequences, toxic positivity may one day be a thing of the past. So there you have it, folks—problem solved, all good!!
If those three words don’t make your blood boil, you haven’t worked in an office with “toxic positivity.” Toxic positivity is coined for a situation that occurs when a work environment encourages positive emotions to the point of stamping out any negative feelings, however warranted they may be. It
often involves dismissing negative emotions, reactions or
experiences and replacing them with false reassurances. And while urging others to “c’mon get happy!” dates back to the joyous days of the Great Depression, the amount of positivity being foisted upon people—especially during times of economic stress or social upheaval—seems to be running rampant these days. According to the site Science of People, nearly 68% of respondents to a study reported experiencing toxic positivity within weeks of the survey, while over 75% conceded to ignoring their own emotions “in favor of being happy.” “Toxic positivity is often used to manipulate others to think or act in a certain way for one’s own benefit,” Rosey LaVine writes at scienceofpeople.com . In many ways it’s a form of gaslighting— though in workplace situations the negative aspects are often unintentional. In fact, some managers or supervisors confuse their misguided positivity as being motivational. Common phrases that minimize or invalidate honest emotions include “it’ll work out,” “failure is not an option,” “look on the bright side” and “it could be worse,” according to the Positive Planner, a self-empowerment website. (And if the folks at Positive Planner are red-flagging over-positivity, you know it’s a problem.) LaVine says toxic positivity may be difficult to identify when
6 ways to recognize toxic positivity in the workplace ] You’re surrounded by ‘yes’ people ] Flattery is excessive ] Busyness is up, productivity is down ] Employees taking sick days increases ] Weak relationships among colleagues ] Innovation is at a standstill
16 NorthBaybiz
September 2025
A look at the key figures shaping life in the North Bay The Month In Numbers
Sonoma County
Is there a problem, officer?
$2.27 million City Schools officials
Estimated annual cost to operate the school- resource-officer program supported by Santa Rosa
0 Number of resource officers on campus at the start of the 2025-26 school year in Santa Rosa, which can’t afford the operating costs Source: Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Napa County
2.5 The minimum GPA for required coursework
5 The number of North Bay school districts which have partnered so far with Sonoma State University to allow priority enrollment to qualifying high school graduates. Calistoga and Napa Valley unified school districts joined the guaranteed admissions program this summer. A mission to raise admissions
graduating seniors need for guaranteed admission to SSU. 163 Students from the original partnering school districts—Cotati-Rohnert Park, Petaluma City and Windsor Unified—that have enrolled in SSU through the program. Source: Santa Rosa Press Democrat 3 Years in a row MarinHealth has maintained a targeted low rate of cesarean births. The Greenbrae-based medical center was recognized for the achievement last month by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative. 23.6% Rate of cesarean births at MarinHealth since 2022
Marin County
Bearers of good news!
32.6% Share of homes for sale in Marin which lowered their prices in June as a result of a sluggish real estate market. Has the bubble burst?
$1.65 million The median price of homes for sale in Marin in June, a drop of 6% from the previous year.
September 2025
NorthBaybiz 17
ECON 101
The Federal Reserve and policy independence Why the fate of Jerome Powell and his successors matters
By Robert Eyler I n monetary policy circles, there was about 25 years of focused research on how independent central banks are, should be, and what independence (separate from political decision making) for a central bank may mean for both the economy’s performance, as well as for the smooth functioning of financial markets. In the mid-1990s, much of this research slowed due to two general changes in macroeconomics: (1) a change to central banking that was more holistic in terms of combining classic interest rate policy with yield curve shaping; and (2) the inflation episodes of the late 1970s and 1980s providing lessons about inflation bias in monetary policy and some of the ills that come as a result. The first figure shown here shows the predictability of monetary policy changes as seen through the lens of the Federal Funds Rate (the effective rate at which lenders lend and borrow from each other once the Federal Reserve sets the policy range). Notice the shaping and long-term predictability of its shape. A sharper
In 2025, we are now back to questioning how independent central banks can be, with questions around how the transition beyond Jerome Powell will take place. Initially, the discussion was when his term ends in 2026; summer 2025 has led to some speculation and explicit threats that he will be removed by presidential edict and replaced (due to the high likelihood of a presidential appointee
making it through Senate confirmation) with someone who will take monetary policy orders from the White House. Now, it is good to remind readers that the Federal Reserve is governed by a board of directors for which Jerome Powell is the chair, and a broader committee makes monetary policy decisions, not just one person. However, stacking the Federal Reserve Board with
focus went onto inflation control, especially as the treaty that created the Euro Currency area had explicit inflation rules with multiple countries giving up their power to control local, short-term interest rates (and later due to quantitative easing and tightening, longer-term bond rates also). The European Currency Area created a governance set-up
political lackeys may be a quiet aim of the current administration; creating a contentious atmosphere in U.S. monetary policy would have adverse, global effects on financial markets. Monetary policy (when functioning well) is a game of economic forecasting and uncertainty reduction if domestic
Federal Funds Rate, January 1982 to May 2025, Monthly Average, Percent Yield (Shaded Areas = Recessions)
that was similar to the U.S. Federal Reserve, with each country as a “district” and using the old central banks as district banks. This change, completed in 2002 but started in 1999, augmented central banks' independence by force.
18 NorthBaybiz
September 2025
Independent central banks have proven to be critical for the smooth functioning of financial markets.
non-independent. Suppose there is a forced change (the legality of which would likely be in courts for months and beyond Jerome Powell’s term) or a non-independent voice as Fed chair versus the current Federal Reserve Board members. In that case, other aspects of running banking and financial regulations, oversight, and other indirectly related policies may change. The shape of the first figure, becoming less predictable, would have global consequences. It may lead other countries to consider how inflation bias, which would almost certainly emerge from a change that leads to new policy paths, could help political parties remain in power. g
Turkey Central Bank Rate and US Federal Funds Rate, Jan 1982 to May 2025, Monthly
policy makers intend for financial markets to also function well, versus stomach- churning uncertainty (think Turkey, for example). Notice in the figure how long some of the rate reductions are and how
violent some of the increases (between 2023 and 2024, rates increased over 40% for a bit) are in Turkey, in contrast to the United States; Turkey’s central bank is very much tied to its political processes and
Dr. Robert Eyler is professor of economics at Sonoma State University and president of Economic Forensics and Analytics in Sonoma County.
September 2025
NorthBaybiz 19
20 NorthBaybiz
September 2025
Only In Marin
BioMarin makes deal, Huffman looks to help cannabis farmers By Bill Meagher
A t the beginning of July, San Rafael- based BioMarin Inc. closed the acquisition of Inozyme Pharma Inc. The transaction was valued at $270 million at $4 a share, taking Inozyme private. BioMarin and Inozyme signed a basic agreement in June. The deal was all cash, which
sense of humor while doing his best to navigate an environment notable for its ultra-partisan flavor and the Trump administration’s ambition to shift Trump’s presidency into a dictatorship. Huffman’s SHIP Act is nothing if not ambitious, not just because of its focus. While California continues to produce the highest quality cannabis in the world, the state can’t get out of its own way when it comes to the industry itself. I’ve covered the cannabis sector for a few years now and I can say that I’ve never covered an industry that asked for more
wasn’t a stretch for BioMarin. As of the end of the first quarter this year, BioMarin had $1.2 billion in cash on hand. Boston-based Inozyme has 50 employees and develops therapeutics to regulate bone health and blood vessel function. The company was formerly listed on Nasdaq. Its research and work dovetails BioMarin’s focus on orphan diseases, that is BioMarin seeks to develop drugs to treat diseases with limited patient populations that are often overlooked by other drug companies. In turn the Food and Drug Administration gives certain advantages to drug companies willing to explore treatment of so-called orphan diseases. While BioMarin has enjoyed success in developing drugs in this limited sector, it has also had to deal with a degree of turbulence from Wall Street investors and analysts looking to the biotech sector for broader profit environments. In particular, BioMarin had to spend time in 2023 appeasing activist investor Elliott Management. The hedge fund felt BioMarin was not considering its long-term prospects and insisted on creating a strategy review committee, as well as giving Elliott three seats on its board of directors. SHIP Act The Small and Homestead Independent Producers Act, authored by Congressman Jared Huffman (Oregon’s Val Hoyle is the other sponsor) aims to give small cannabis farmers a better shot at surviving an industry moving toward consolidation. “Larger, commercialized cannabis operators are infiltrating the market and squeezing out our local farmers in the process,” Huffman said in a statement. “So, when the antiquated federal prohibition on cannabis finally gets repealed, we need to have substantial legislation ready to help these small businesses survive. My legislation would ensure that folks can ship their products straight to consumers, which would both help expand small businesses and ensure farmers stay afloat. When full legalization is guaranteed, we must commit to not leaving our smallest family-farmers behind.” Huffman has become more outspoken as the political ecosystem in Washington D.C. has become more treacherous. While the Democratic party searches for an identity as well as a backbone, Huffman has kept his
The SHIP Act would eventually allow small cannabis producers to ship their products directly to consumers.
Bill Meagher is a contributing editor at NorthBay biz and pens this column each month. He is also a senior reporter with The Deal, a Manhattan-based digital financial news outlet. So, the commission once again considered the project and issued eight different permits to allow the remodeling of the 101-year-old building. In a telling quote, developer Kent Ipsen told the crowd gathered to debate his project that he had been dragged through the mud and that he understood that was part of the plan. He’s of course correct and all I can say is buckle up, his ride isn’t over. When the city council on Aug. 6 voted 4-1 to reject the appeal, neighbors vowed to sue to stop the project. g Your Marin Moment As a former resident of Sausalito (I lived on a pair of houseboats), I can say I’ve never seen a place so caught up in battling itself. The project seeking to turn the old Wells Fargo bank on Bridgeway into a restaurant with three hotel suites is a fine example of the Sausalito psychosis. The project received a green light from the planning commission last December and was promptly appealed by neighbors who felt the project would bring too much noise to the neighborhood. regulation until I reported on the pot beat. Talking to the players, they would say: Just give me a solid set of rules to follow and let us operate. For its part, the state understood there was big cash to be made via taxes and regulation on cannabis, they just had almost no idea how to regulate and allow for a level playing field. Add to that the fact the Feds are still hanging onto a mentality of Reefer Madness as cannabis is still classified alongside heroin and cocaine, and you have a recipe for disaster. Think of it this way: Forty different states have made medical use of cannabis legal. And 24 states say recreational use of the drug is fine, as well. California is the fourth largest economy in the world and a leader in technology. But when it comes to creating an environment where cannabis can succeed, California’s government is dazed and confused.
September 2025
NorthBaybiz 21
22 NorthBaybiz
September 2025 September 2025
Reading Between the Lines
How Darius Anderson sold the Press Democrat, leaving $2 million on the table— and more than 50 people out of their jobs
By Bill Meagher
September 2025
NorthBaybiz 23 NorthBaybiz 23
“Owning a newspaper is a license to print money.” —well-known quote, widely attributed to 20th century media mogul Roy Thomson T he saga of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat sale to Alden Global Capital in May raised more questions than answers. But the primary question goes like this: Why would an ownership group trumpeting the importance of community journalism sell its respected local daily to a company described as “the most reviled newspaper owner in the business”? Other colorful descriptors of Alden Global include “the grim reaper of American newspapers” and a company “seemingly intent on destroying local journalism." In his message to the employees announcing the sale, former PD majority owner Darius Anderson promised Alden Global would ensure the “highest-caliber local journalism for future North Bay generations.” But no one familiar with Alden Global’s reputation for draconian cost cutting and layoffs was buying it. It’s been four months since the sale sent shockwaves through the Press Democrat building at 416 B St. in Santa Rosa—and the tale is even less clear now than when it was completed. Since the deal was announced May 1, NorthBay biz has spoken
with many sources at the Press Democrat and beyond in an effort to piece together the puzzle of how a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper was sold off to a New York investment firm carrying a brutal journalistic reputation. Besides the PD , other publications in the sale by parent company Sonoma Media Investments LLC (SMI) included the North Bay Business Journal , the Sonoma Index-Tribune , Sonoma magazine and Petaluma Argus Courier . For the purposes of brevity, we will examine the sale from the PD perspective. [Reporter’s Note: NBb reached out to more than a dozen sources for this story. Almost all of them wouldn’t allow their name to be used for fear of reprisal from Alden Global or SMI. Some cited non-disclosure agreements. Others simply feared for their jobs.] The PD's many suitors To fully understand how an independent newspaper went from local ownership to being one of hundreds owned by the second largest owner of newspapers in the country, let’s go back to 2024. At that time Hearst Corp., owner of the San Francisco Chronicle among other publications, was in discussion with SMI and its group of local investors led by managing partner Darius Anderson about acquiring the Press Democrat . Hearst performed almost seven months of due diligence, according to a former PD employee. But the deal fell out of bed for unknown reasons.
The 168-year-old Press Democrat currently operates out of offices at 416 B St. in Santa Rosa. [Photo by Jason Walsh]
24 NorthBaybiz
September 2025
SMI then approached North Bay developer and Poppy Bank founder Bill Gallaher about submitting an offer. Gallaher put a group together and offered $15 million, according to a source involved in the offer—but nothing came of that effort either. [Gallaher is bound by a non-disclosure agreement and would not discuss that offer with NBb .] But in 2025 Hearst wanted a second bite at the apple, approaching SMI early in the year about a sale with $9 million emerging as a potential offer. Hearst told the PD its distribution needed improvement and its union needed to essentially abandon its contract, according to sources familiar with the talks. While unhappy regarding the potential loss of the union contract, the PD staff was willing to discuss changes to the contract for the sake of being acquired by Hearst, which at least had deep journalism experience. In addition to the San Francisco Chronicle , its other media properties include SF Gate , the Houston Chronicle , plus Cosmopolitan and Esquire magazines. Meanwhile, Steve Falk, former publisher and CEO of SMI who retired in 2022, was brought in by SMI to get a sale done. Falk advised the PD staff that if the union didn’t agree to concessions, SMI would be forced to sell to another party—and that party could be Alden Global Capital. An Alden Global sale was treated by the staff as a threat given Alden’s dismal reputation in journalism circles. Then the Hearst deal once again disappeared. After SMI managing partner Darius Anderson reached out to Gallaher again, the Poppy Bank founder put a group together, and this time the bid was $12 million, all cash. But that wasn’t the only offer SMI was entertaining. Alden Global heard the PD was on the block and submitted an
Lawrence Amaturo, publisher of NorthBay biz , was among the local group which made an offer on the Press Democrat.
The road to your best future starts here...
Celebrating 25 Years! jdhwealth.com | 707.542.1110
September 2025
NorthBaybiz 25
recommendation was rejected in favor of an offer that would be considered more generous. It also came with a promise to honor the union contract and retain at least 90% of all non-union staff. But Gallaher’s group heard nothing. No reply or negotiation for better terms was forthcoming from SMI. Meanwhile, Alden was busy behind the scenes—and, in a whirlwind romance, Alden and SMI worked out a deal in a matter of weeks. But SMI never warned the PD staff about the coming sale to Alden. A newsroom surprise An announcement of the sale arrived in the PD newsroom May 1 via an email from Alden, which for many on staff landed in their junk folder. “A lot of us thought it was a joke when we saw the email,” said one newsroom employee. After the email was deemed genuine, nobody was laughing. Later that day, in a press release announcing the Alden Global ownership, Anderson and Falk said “economic challenges” facing the newspaper industry made it “difficult for [SMI’s] small group of local investors to guarantee the paper’s long-term future.” They also said the sale to Alden would best serve the newspaper and the public, a sentiment greeted in the newsroom with disbelief. In the days following the sale, Sharon Ryan, an exec vice president with a subsidiary of Alden, came to talk to the PD staff. Ryan assured the staff Alden was dedicated to keeping local journalism strong and treating employees the right way. A PD employee asked if she meant the PD staff would be treated like employees at the San Jose Mercury News —which came under Alden following its purchase of the Merc’s parent- company MediaNews Group in 2010, and was subsequently gutted. The remark was not well received by Ryan and at least one of the PD staff in that conversation has since been pink slipped. NorthBay Biz tried reaching Ryan with no success. NorthBay biz also reached out multiple times to Anderson, to better understand why the sale was necessary and how the transaction was completed. A Novato native and current Sonoma Valley resident, Anderson wears many hats as a well- known political lobbyist, fundraiser extraordinaire, developer, Jack London buff and, until recently, managing partner of SMI. Messages were left for him at Platinum Advisors, the Sacramento-based lobbying company he owns; Kenwood Investments, his Sonoma real estate company; as well as his cell phone. But like Gallaher and the PD staff, NorthBay biz never heard from Anderson. Private investment firm, or ‘destroyer of newspapers’? So who is Alden Global—the now proud owner of the PD ? The investment firm has about $1 billion under management, not too large in the Wall Street domain. But when it comes to size in the newspaper industry, Alden subsidiary MediaNews Group takes a backseat to almost no one. It holds 77 daily newspapers and more than 150 weekly publications in its portfolio, according to its website. The company is known for taking a private equity approach to the assets it owns. That is, it gravitates toward entities that are distressed, purchasing them at a bargain price and then looking for opportunities to cut costs and profit from the sale of portions of the operations.
Darius Anderson, former managing partner of Sonoma Media Investments. [Image from California Fish & Game, where Anderson is a commissioner]
unsolicited offer of $10 million. [Disclosure: The publisher of NorthBay biz , Lawrence Amaturo, was part of the Gallaher group that made the $12 million offer to buy the SMI assets. And while Amaturo was among a group of sources who spoke both on the record and off for this story, this article was written independently.] An editorial employee at the PD said while the staff had no say in who would ultimately buy the newspaper, it favored a sale to Hearst rather than the Gallaher group because Hearst had extensive media experience. The employee also said Gallaher was considered by some in the newsroom to be “Sonoma County’s Trump,” a moniker that made the newsroom nervous, given the president’s often-contentious relationship with the press. Gallaher has been active in local politics and has pursued a variety of charitable endeavors in the North Bay. He often chafed at the coverage he received from the PD, according to sources with knowledge of his desire to purchase the newspaper. Gallaher sued the Press Democrat in 2016 for libel over a series of stories covering political donations. The lawsuit was eventually tossed out. While Gallaher’s group waited by the phone, with radio silence coming from SMI, it took the unusual step of putting out a press release in March 2025 about its desire to purchase the PD and other media assets. Gallaher was wary of his bid disappearing without any acknowledgement or back and forth with SMI because of the 2024 experience. The group’s statement said, in part, that they wanted to “preserve and enhance local journalism by keeping these publications community-owned and operated.” The group’s $12 million offer was based on a report by a consultant, who first recommended the group propose a lower offer amount, based on a multiple of the newspaper’s revenue. But, according to a member of the local group, the consultant’s
26 NorthBaybiz
September 2025
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator